About Bulburin

• Getting there and getting around
• Park features
• Camping and accommodation
• Things to do
• Things to know before you go
• Staying safe
• Looking after the park
• Park management
• Tourism information links
• Further information

Getting there and getting around

• Bulburin National Park map (PDF, 181K)*

Bulburin is approximately 120 km south of Gladstone and approximately 75 km north-east of Monto. Two-wheel-drive access is only possible from Builyan on the Gladstone-Monto Road.

To get to Builyan from the Bruce Highway, turn west into Blackmans Gap Road, 98 km north of Gin Gin, or 1.7 km south of Miriam Vale. This is a two-wheel-drive access road. Travel approximately 28 km to the Gladstone-Monto Road, turn left and continue approximately 8 km to Builyan.

At Builyan, turn into Dalga Road and continue 16 km along the Bulburin Forest Road to the site of the old forestry barracks. A four-wheel-drive through route leads 33 km to the Bruce Highway.

To get to Bulburin National Park from the Bruce Highway turn west into Granite Creek Forestry Road near the Granite Creek rest area, 64 km north of Gin Gin or 38 km south of Miriam Vale. This access road is four-wheel drive only.

Wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair accessible facilities in Bulburin National Park.

Park features

Bulburin National Park encompasses the catchments for the Boyne and Kolan rivers and Baffle and Granite creeks. Subtropical rainforest and dense stands of dry rainforest with emerging hoop pines cover half of Bulburin—together, they form the largest rainforest remnant in central Queensland.

The rest of Bulburin contains open eucalypt forest and woodland and tall open forest with a rainforest understorey. Dry open forests with New England blackbutt, spotted gum and white mahogany grow on the more exposed western ridges and foothills. Mature hoop pine plantations in the adjoining State forest areas are being harvested for timber.

A variety of wildlife lives in the forest including wompoo pigeons, red-necked and red-legged pademelons and red-eyed tree frogs. Rare and threatened species like the long-nosed potoroo have also been reported. Bulburin National Park protects the only known population of the endangered Bulburin nut tree, Macadamia jansenii, which is so rare, less than 40 individuals exist.

Camping and accommodation

Camping

Bush camping is permitted in most places in Bulburin National Park—the site of the former forestry barracks is an ideal location. Camping permits are required and fees apply.

• Find out more about camping in Bulburin National Park.
• Book your camping permit online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

Other accommodation

There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Gladstone. See the tourism information links for more details.

Things to do

Walking

There are no formed walking tracks in Bulburin National Park, however you can explore the forest on foot along vehicle tracks. Please take water, sunscreen and insect repellent with you.

Driving

The road from the site of the old forestry camp to the Bruce Highway and the 4WD Loop Road over Scotts Bridge provides a rocky touring experience with picturesque views of rainforests and scenic landscapes. Make sure you have four-wheel-driving experience, recovery gear, and a chainsaw and do not attempt these roads in wet weather or a two-wheel-drive vehicle.

Viewing wildlife

Stop, look and listen for red-crowned pigeons, noisy pitas, regent and satin bowerbirds, and paradise riflebirds in the rainforest.

Things to know before you go

Essentials to bring

There are no facilities available at the park, so you must be self-sufficient. Plan ahead to ensure you bring enough fuel, food and drinking water.

• Bring a fuel or gas stove for cooking or bring your own clean, milled timber for firewood.
• Carry a well-equipped, remote-area first-aid kit.
• Pack an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and UHF radio or satellite phone. There is poor mobile reception in the park.
• All visitors should carry a chainsaw in case of fallen trees, and vehicle recovery equipment for boggy sections, particularly in wet weather.
• Pack strong rubbish bags, so you can take your rubbish with you when you leave. Rubbish bins are not provided.
• Pack appropriate clothing. Wear sturdy footwear. Be prepared for cool nights, especially in winter.
• Bring insect repellent and sunscreen.
• Please bring a shovel for burying toilet waste. There are no toilets in the park.
• Bring your camera and binoculars for viewing wildlife. Torches—preferably with a red filter to reduce light intensity—are useful for spotlighting at night.

Opening hours

Bulburin National Park is open 24 hours a day.

Permits and fees

Access to Bulburin National Park is free and no permits are required, however camping permits are required before arriving and fees apply. A camping tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite.

• Book your camping permit online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Bulburin National Park.

Climate and weather

The climate at Bulburin is generally the same as the surrounding area (Miriam Vale). However it is generally 3-5 ºC cooler than surrounding lowlands depending on the time of year. Rainfall is higher than surrounding areas with most rain falling during summer. After heavy rainfall, contact us to check park conditions.

Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Fuel and supplies

The closest fuel and supplies are available at Miriam Vale, Ubobo, Monto or Gin Gin. For more information see the tourism information links below.

Staying safe

Whether you go for a short stroll or stay overnight, be self-sufficient and take care of yourself.

• Watch for wildlife and cattle on roads, particularly around creek and river crossings.
• In wet weather unsealed roads become slippery and may become impassable—check weather forecasts before you arrive.
• Stay with your vehicle if it breaks down. A vehicle is much easier to find than a person.
• Only attempt the scenic 4WD Loop Road and the road to the Bruce Highway in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
• Never walk alone. Tell family or friends where you are going and when you expect to return. Ensure you notify your contact person when you return.
• Always carry a first-aid kit and extra drinking water in case you take longer than expected.
• Keep clear of cliff edges. Keep to marked tracks and make sure children do not run ahead.
• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear to protect you against the sun, cold and venomous bites.
• Beware of falling branches during severe storms and strong winds.
• Carry communication equipment—a satellite phone, UHF radio and/or EPIRB is recommended as mobile reception is poor.

For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

In an emergency

Mobile reception is poor and a satellite phone is recommended. If you have difficulty connecting to Triple Zero (000) in an emergency, try dialing 112.

Call for assistance on UHF emergency channel 5, which is monitored by emergency authorities.

Looking after the park

Please help protect Bulburin National Park by following these guidelines.

• Use a portable stove to reduce fire danger and eliminate the need for firewood.
• Bring your own clean, milled timber for firewood. Collecting wood in national parks is prohibited.
• Keep your campfire at least 2 m clear of surrounding vegetation.
• Avoid contaminating water. Wash yourself and your cooking utensils at least 50 m away from waterways.
• Bury all toilet waste (and paper) 15 cm deep at least 100 m from waterways, tracks and camp sites.
• Take all rubbish home. There are no rubbish bins in the park. Never burn or bury it.
• Do not feed native animals. Never bury scraps as animals may dig them up.
• Check and clean mud and seeds from your shoes, tyres and tents before and after entering parks to help prevent the spread of weeds and the deadly chytrid fungus that kills frogs.
• Leave Bulburin National Park as you found it. All plants and animals are protected.

See caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) manages Bulburin National Park for the enjoyment of visitors and the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage. A management plan for the park will be prepared in the future.

Tourism information links

Gladstone Visitor Information Centre
www.gladstoneregion.info

Marina Ferry Terminal
Bryan Jordan Drive, Gladstone QLD 4680
ph (07) 4972 9000
fax (07) 4972 5006
email gladstonevic@gpdl.com.au

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.

Further information

Contact us

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Last updated 21 November 2011

Bulburin National Park

• About Bulburin
• Camping information